Which statement about oxygen side effects is correct?

• A. Oxygen toxicity is a major risk with acute administration
• B. Irritation to the respiratory tract
• C. Restlessness is not related to hypoxia
• D. Oxygen has no side effects

Answer: (B)

Irritation of the respiratory tract is a common side effect of oxygen therapy, especially when the gas is dry or given at high flow. Dry oxygen can irritate the nasal passages, throat, and airways, leading to discomfort, coughing, and even epistaxis. Using humidified oxygen and giving the lowest effective concentration helps minimize this irritation while correcting hypoxemia.

Oxygen toxicity is not a major concern with a single acute dose; it develops with prolonged exposure to high FiO2, causing lung injury from reactive oxygen species over time, not during a brief treatment. Restlessness can occur with hypoxia, so saying it’s not related to hypoxia isn’t accurate. And oxygen can have side effects, so stating there are none isn’t correct.